Next generation online travel agency announces consumer financing options and enhanced loyalty program benefits for CheapOair and OneTravel with new credit cards

NEW YORK, September 27, 2016: Fareportal, a high-tech, high-touch travel company that powers a next generation travel concierge, is set to launch a co-branded credit card program with Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) in October 2016. The program includes new Visa^® and Visa Signature^® credit cards for both CheapOair and OneTravel, as well as a private label credit card for each brand.

Designed to enhance the existing CheapOair and OneTravel Rewards programs and help customers accelerate earnings, the cards will offer a range of introductory offers to qualifying cardholders¹ including:

• Access to special financing for six months on qualifying purchases of $399 or more (after discounts).
• A $50 statement credit after making purchases of $500 or more in the first 90 days (excludes special financing purchases).
• Accelerated earning of CheapOair and OneTravel Rewards Program Points.

Cardholders get CheapOair and OneTravel Reward’s Program Points plus 6 additional Points per $1 spent using their CheapOair or OneTravel Credit Card on CheapOair.com and OneTravel.com.  The chart below outlines what a cardholder could earn in rewards points:

In addition to earning points faster on all CheapOair and OneTravel purchases, Visa credit cardholders will earn 4 points for every $1 spent on dining purchases and 2 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases wherever Visa credit cards are accepted.

CheapOair and OneTravel operate with a business model that bridges the gap between an online travel agency and a traditional travel agency by providing convenient online booking capabilities, as well as a 24/7 personalized trip booking experience.

“Travelers are looking for great experiences and also for cheap flights,” said Michael Culhane, CFO of Fareportal. “Our new relationship with Synchrony Financial offers our customers outstanding financing options and an enhanced loyalty program. Additionally, a co-brand card will allow our customers to use their card anywhere in the world to earn rewards.”

Fareportal is among the first travel companies to offer its customers special financing options through a co-branded credit card program. A recent survey conducted by Synchrony Financial found that 72% of travelers said they would be “very” or “extremely” likely to apply for and open a travel credit card, and utilize special financing, if their travel purchase was more than $399.²

Travelers around the world can find and book their perfect trip on CheapOair or OneTravel’s websites, mobile and tablet apps, and by calling one of thousands of trained travel agents in multiple countries and in multiple languages. Fareportal provides access to more than 450 airlines, 200,000 hotels and hundreds of car agencies worldwide.

“Synchrony Financial shares Fareportal’s passion for using innovation and technology to provide a seamless customer service experience,” said Tom Quindlen, executive vice president and CEO, Retail Card, Synchrony Financial. “Special financing can be a key differentiator for travelers looking for flexible payment options while also maximizing the versatility and value of expenditures with a Fareportal credit card.”

¹ Subject to credit approval

²Crowdtap survey, August 2016

About Fareportal

Fareportal is a high-tech, high-touch Travel Company that powers the next generation travel concierge. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated contact centers; Fareportal has forged strong industry partnerships providing access to over 450 airlines, 200,000 hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies that serve millions of customers every year. To learn more, visit /.

About Synchrony Financial

Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) is one of the nation’s premier consumer financial services companies. Our roots in consumer finance trace back to 1932, and today we are the largest provider of private label credit cards in the United States based on purchase volume and receivables.^* We provide a range of credit products through programs we have established with a diverse group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations and healthcare service providers to help generate growth for our partners and offer financial flexibility to our customers. Through our partners’ over 350,000 locations across the United States and Canada, and their websites and mobile applications, we offer our customers a variety of credit products to finance the purchase of goods and services. Synchrony Financial offers private label and co-branded Dual Card^™ credit cards, promotional financing and installment lending, loyalty programs and FDIC-insured savings products through Synchrony Bank. More information can be found at www.synchronyfinancial.com, facebook.com/SynchronyFinancial, www.linkedin.com/company/synchrony-financial and twitter.com/SYFNews.

^*Source: The Nilson Report (May 2016, Issue # 1087) – based on 2015 data.

Next generation online travel agency continues innovative practices with the availability of new mobile payment option

CheapOair, a leading flights-focused next generation concierge travel service consisting of a traditional travel agency with a digital front end, announced today that customers booking on their iPhone or iPad will now have option to pay using Apple Pay.

Apple Pay is a simple and convenient platform giving Apple customers a secure payment option for mobile transactions. Once customers have chosen their desired itinerary, they can simply select Apple Pay at checkout and with a single touch, the payment is safely initiated.

CheapOair’s in-house mobile development team adds this as yet another accomplishment this year. In order to offer more flexibility and convenience, the team is dedicated to continually enhancing the mobile products available to CheapOair customers. Apple Pay joins an array of other payments accepted by CheapOair including all major credit cards, PayPal and Android Pay.

“We are always looking for ways to improve customer experience on our mobile apps, and Apple Pay is a great fit for on-the-go users,” said Daniel Lizio-Katzen, SVP of Product & Revenue at Fareportal. “It adds a safe, quick, and convenient way for our customers with Apple devices to pay for their travel without needing to reach for their wallet.”

The CheapOair app for iOS can be downloaded for free through the Apple App store.

About CheapOair

CheapOair is a flights-focused hybrid travel agency that enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps, by phone or live chat. CheapOair (https://www.cheapoair.com, 1-646-738-4820) bridges the gap between an online and traditional travel agency with certified travel agents available to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and 100s of car rentals. Partner airlines benefit from access to CheapOair’s broad customer base that books high yield international travel and add-on ancillaries at above the industry average. Follow CheapOair on Facebook and Twitter to learn how to travel the world for less.

Prominent Online Travel Agency continues innovative practices with the availability of

new mobile payment option

CheapOair, a leading flights-focused next generation concierge travel service consisting of a traditional travel agency with a digital front end, is now offering customers the option to pay via their Android smartphone with Android Pay. Following the announcement of the Android Pay pilot program, Google identified key e-commerce mobile apps to join in the development phase of the project. CheapOair was selected as the only online travel agency to participate, consistent with its role as an industry leader in technological innovation.

Android Pay is a convenient, easy-to-use platform giving customers another secure payment option for mobile transactions. Once customers have chosen their desired itinerary, they can simply select Android Pay at checkout and within seconds their payment is safely initiated.

CheapOair’s in-house Android development team played an instrumental role in the functionality of Android Pay as it relates to the online travel agency environment. The overall architecture and business process was tested and approved by Google, Chase Paymentech, and CheapOair’s internal booking and processing teams. Lessons gleaned from CheapOair’s success with the integration are now being used as benchmarks to onboard new merchants on to the Android Pay platform.

“With the phenomenal growth in Android device adoption both in the US and worldwide, CheapOair is excited to be the first online travel agency to launch Android Pay,” said Daniel Lizio-Katzen, Senior Vice President of Product and Revenue. “We expect that it will have a transformative impact on how our customer’s book and purchase travel on their mobile devices.”

In order to offer more flexibility and convenience, CheapOair is dedicated to adding payment options customers prefer. Android Pay joins an array of other payment options accepted by CheapOair including all major credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay.

The CheapOair Android app can be downloaded for free through the Google Play store. Users praise the convenience of being able to use Android Pay for their flight bookings and since its launch has already grown into a highly-used mobile payment method.

CheapOair is a flights-focused hybrid travel agency that enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps, by phone or live chat. CheapOair (https://www.cheapoair.com, 1-646-738-4820) bridges the gap between an online and traditional travel agency with certified travel agents available to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and 100’s of car rentals. Partner airlines benefit from access to CheapOair’s broad customer base that books high yield international travel and add-on ancillaries at above the industry average. Follow CheapOair on Facebook and Twitter to learn how to travel the world for less.

Leading Online Travel Agency debuts “first of its kind” inspirational travel app

CheapOair, a leading flights-focused, next generation concierge travel service consisting of a traditional travel agency with a digital front end, is excited to introduce its travel exploration app for the 4^th generation Apple TV. CheapOair is the first and only online travel agency to release an app on the Apple TV platform that inspires users to search and plan budget-friendly trips to unique destinations across the world, maintaining its role as an industry leader in technological innovation.

With the CheapOair Explore app, aspiring travelers can discover thousands of new and unique travel options from the comfort of their own living room. Within seconds, users can see where in the world they might be able to fly and for how much using specific travel dates and budget parameters, all entered through an easy-to-use interface. Personalized Wishlists allow customers to save desired itineraries for seamless booking on CheapOair.com or through their CheapOair mobile apps for iOS and Android.

The CheapOair Explore app is the perfect tool for travelers unsure of their next vacation destination to find somewhere interesting and unexpected that they could visit.  With a combination of vivid imagery and affordable prices, CheapOair hopes the CheapOair Explore app will introduce customers to a new method of destination discovery.

“Customers have expressed their desire for a travel planning tool that enables them to plan trips in real time alongside family and friends,” says Harsh Sood, CTO at Fareportal. “Now, thanks to CheapOair Explore, on Apple TV they can find places to visit that they never would have encountered otherwise.”

The CheapOair Explore app can be downloaded for free through the App Store on Apple TV or is also accessible on CheapOair.com.

About CheapOair

CheapOair is a flights-focused hybrid travel agency that enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps, by phone, or live chat. CheapOair (https://www.cheapoair.com, 1-646-738-4820) bridges the gap between an online and traditional travel agency with certified travel agents available to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and 100s of car rentals. Partner airlines benefit from access to CheapOair’s broad customer base that books high yield international travel and add-on ancillaries at above the industry average. Follow CheapOair on Facebook and Twitter to learn how to travel the world for less.

Consumer financing options available in the fall to cardholders for thousands of airlines, hotels and auto rentals through online travel concierge

STAMFORD, Conn. & NEW YORK (July 21, 2016) — Travelers will soon have flexible financing options while also enjoying rewards through a co-branded Dual Card™ credit card program to be offered by Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF), a premier consumer financial services company with 80 years of retail heritage, and Fareportal, a high-tech, high-touch travel company powering the next generation of travel concierge.

Fareportal features a suite of brands, operating under CheapOair and OneTravel names, with a business model that bridges the gap between an online travel agency and a traditional travel agency by providing a convenient online booking capability as well as a 24/7 personalized trip booking experience.

Travelers around the world can find and book their perfect trip on Fareportal’s websites, mobile and tablet apps, and by calling one of hundreds of trained and certified travel agents in multiple countries and in multiple languages. Fareportal partners with more than 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels and hundreds of car agencies worldwide.

Qualified cardholders will have access to six months special financing on qualifying purchases, in addition to exclusive benefits travelers will value with a CheapOair or OneTravel co-branded Dual Card™ or private label credit card.

Synchrony Financial shares Fareportal’s passion for using innovation and technology to provide a seamless customer service experience,” said Tom Quindlen, executive vice president and CEO, Retail Card, Synchrony Financial. “Travelers looking for flexible financing options while also looking to maximize the versatility and value of their expenditures will be a great match for the Fareportal credit card.”

“Travelers are looking for great experiences and also for cheap flights,” said Michael Culhane, CFO of Fareportal. “Our new relationship with Synchrony Financial offers our customers outstanding financing options and an enhanced loyalty program. Additionally, a co-brand card will allow our customers to use their card anywhere in the world to earn rewards.”

About Fareportal

Fareportal is a high-tech, high-touch Travel Company that powers the next generation travel concierge. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated contact centers; Fareportal has forged strong industry partnerships providing access to over 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and 100s of car rental companies that serve millions of customers every year. To learn more, visit /.

About Synchrony Financial

Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) is one of the nation’s premier consumer financial services companies. Our roots in consumer finance trace back to 1932, and today we are the largest provider of private label credit cards in the United States based on purchase volume and receivables.* We provide a range of credit products through programs we have established with a diverse group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations and healthcare service providers to help generate growth for our partners and offer financial flexibility to our customers. Through our partners’ over 350,000 locations across the United States and Canada, and their websites and mobile applications, we offer our customers a variety of credit products to finance the purchase of goods and services. Synchrony Financial (formerly GE Capital Retail Finance) offers private label and co-branded Dual Card™ credit cards, promotional financing and installment lending, loyalty programs and FDIC-insured savings products through Synchrony Bank. More information can be found at www.synchronyfinancial.com, facebook.com/SynchronyFinancial, www.linkedin.com/company/synchrony-financial and twitter.com/SYFNews.

^*Source: The Nilson Report (May 2016, Issue # 1087) – based on 2015 data.

©2016 Synchrony Bank/Synchrony Financial. All rights reserved.